Syllabus
Block
1.Plant Genes and Genomes
1. Introduction. DNA and chromosome structure. DNA replication, transcription, translation, reverse transcription. Gene structure. Three plant genomes.
2. Chloroplast genome, its evolution in lower and higher plants. Genes and intergenic regions used as molecular markers in population genetics and phylogenetics.
3. Evolution of plant mitochondrial genome. Recombination and mutation, gene transfer from mitochondrion into nucleus and chloroplast and vice versa. Comparison of mtch and chloroplast genome evolution.
4. Nuclear genome of higher plants. Transposons and retroposons, their activation and silencing. Mechanisms of gene duplication.
5. Genetic consequences of polyploidisation; auto- and allopolyploids. Gene silencing and subfunctionalisation. Transposons in polyploids. Recent and ancient polyploids. Examples of the genome rearrangement in polyploids. Block
2.
6. DNA sequencing, editing, alignment, BLAST, GenBank, CLUSTALX
7. Practical course ? BLAST, FASTA, alignment; in computer classroom
8. Genetic distance, correction for multiple hits, examples
9. Coding and non-coding sequences, trees ? MP, ML
10. Selection vs. neutrality (Tajima D, HKA), application in search for markers of adaptation
11. Discussion of current papers on plant molecular evolution Block
3. Development and Evolution
12. Higher plant development. Molecular background of vegetative growth regulation; meristem and organ determination
13. Induction of flowering and flower development. ABC model. Phylogenesis of LEAFY in land plants.
14. Molecular background of plant reproduction. Pollen selfincompatibility, gynodioecy, gender and sex chromosomes in plants
15. Evolution-development (evo/devo): new synthesis of evolutionary genetics
Annotation
Please note, the lectures are given in Czech language only. Introduction to the current molecular methods employed for DNA sequence analysis.
Its application in population genetics and evolutionary biology will be demonstrated. Synthesis of developmental and evolutionary biology (evo-devo) will be shown in several examples.
Bioinformatic approach and discussion of new seminal papers are parts of the course.